WORCESTERSHIRE is home to more than 21,000 veterans, England and Wales census data on UK Armed Forces veterans has shown.
Recent statistics from Census Data for Veterans revealed the county is home to some 21,300 veterans, higher than the national average.
According to the first-ever census on the UK’s Armed Forces veterans, the figure represents 4.8 per cent of the Worcestershire population aged 16 plus, whereas the national average is 3.8 per cent
It further suggested more than 20,000 households in Worcestershire contain at least one resident who is an armed forces veteran.
This represents 7.7 per cent of households in Worcestershire, which is slightly higher than the national average of seven per cent.
Coun Richard Morris, chairman of Worcestershire’s Armed Forces Covenant Partnership said: “Thanks to the new figures released from the 2021 Census, we can really start to paint a more accurate picture of our veteran community.
“By working with our partners, military charities and statutory providers, we will work hard to ensure that those who serve or have served and their families have access to the best support we can offer.”
Stepway Worcestershire offers a number of drop-ins for veterans and their families, including “banter and brew sessions”.
Visit stepway.org for more information about the sessions and visit worcestershire.gov.uk/armedforces for contact details for a range of military charities and organizations working across Worcestershire.